An appeal against the controversial permit granted to Joseph Portelli in the pristine ODZ area of Ta’ Muxi, has been made by the Qala Local Council, Din l-Art Helwa and Nature Trust Malta.
The Environment and Resources Authority has also appealed [1] the decision to grant the permit, stating that notwithstanding the fact that the permission was withdrawn [2] by the applicant, the appeal had to be made to remove the precedent that was created when such permission was granted.
In a joint statement today, Qala Local Council, Din l-Art Helwa and NTM said that the application was dogged with controversy as both the environmental watchdog ERA as well as the cultural watchdog the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage strongly objected to it, and yet a majority of members of the Planning Board voted in favour.
They pointed out that even the Planning Directorate had recommended that that the application be turned down, but still, it was approved. “The determination of this application was manifestly flawed with disregard of the law and policies.”
A spokesperson for the Qala Local Council said, “This is a case of Team Malta and Gozo against a system which favours developers at all costs and at every instance.”
“The policies are clear, ERA was clear, the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage was clear – such development is not allowed in ODZ. And yet – this was approved. It is a shameful disgrace. Together with eNGOs Din l-Art Helwa and Nature Trust we have filed an appeal to have this scandalous permit revoked,” the spokesperson said.
Qala Local Council concluded by saying, “we will not let this become another precedent for the destruction of our natural heritage. Enough is enough.”